Police expressed their diminishing hope for 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, who was forcibly taken from his Sydney home by three men a week ago.
After identifying a derelict property in the semi-rural suburb of Dural as a possible hideout for the kidnappers, officers conducted a thorough search on Thursday night. Unfortunately, there was no sign of the missing man, leading police to admit that the chances of his safe return were slim.
“It’s been seven days now, so hope is fading,” said Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks. “We are deeply concerned for his well-being, but we are not giving up on our efforts to locate him.”
The property in Dural, described as abandoned and hidden from view, is believed to have appeared in videos showing Mr. Baghsarian being held captive at an unknown location.
Following traditional investigative methods, authorities were led to the Dural property before discovering evidence linking Mr. Baghsarian to the site in the past week. A crime scene has been established, and the investigation is ongoing.
The family of the kidnapped grandfather broke their silence earlier this week, describing the situation as a surreal and traumatic experience. They expressed their shock and devastation at the ordeal.
Despite Mr. Baghsarian’s lack of ties to criminal activities, investigators are facing challenges in solving the case. Police have appealed to the kidnappers to release the elderly man safely.
No ransom demands have been made, prompting authorities to seek public assistance in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators. Anyone with information about suspicious activities in Dural or at the abandoned property has been urged to come forward.
“Even the smallest piece of information could be crucial to our investigation,” Det Act Supt Marks emphasized.
